Dacia Plans to Disrupt Market with Affordable Electric Mini Car
European automakers are refocusing their efforts on the small car market. Following announcements from Volkswagen regarding the electric ID.1, Fiat’s small Panda, and Renault’s Twingo, Dacia is now also developing its own mini electric vehicle.
The announcement was made during a shareholder call as part of Renault Group’s financial year summary. Renault CEO Luca de Meo revealed that Dacia will soon release a new model, the name of which is yet to be announced. True to Dacia’s focus, the car will aim to undercut its competitors on price, with a target of €18,000, approximately €2,000 less than the projected prices of its rivals.
De Meo’s announcement included a 16-month timeline for the car’s development – relatively quick in automotive industry terms. This shorter timeline is expected due to the car’s anticipated reliance on the next-generation Renault Twingo. Another cost-saving measure is the intention to manufacture the car in Europe, most likely alongside the Twingo in Slovenia, avoiding tariffs on cars imported from China.
Dacia’s current affordable electric car, the Spring, is produced in China, which adds 35% to its cost. Further cost reductions for the new model are expected through a reduction in the number of parts used. De Meo stated that the Twingo uses 30% fewer parts, with a total of 750 pieces.
There is yet no official data available regarding the car’s motor, range, or charging capabilities. However, it’s reasonable to assume that these aspects will surpass those of the Spring, which offers a choice of 45 to 65 horsepower, a 26.8 kWh battery providing a range of 220 km, and a home charging capacity of 7 kW, along with a 30 kW fast charging option.
